Today's news summary, Dec. 30, 2013

NEWS: Ulster County police are asking for public assistance in their search for a 16-year-old Town of Esopus resident who has been missing since Thursday, they said. According to the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, Ashley Banks was reportedly last seen on Friday afternoon in the area of Eastman Towers apartments in the City of Poughkeepsie. The previous day at about 9 p.m., police believe she ran away from home, wearing a green and pink sweatshirt, black leggings and striped black and white sneakers. She is 5-feet and 2-inches tall and about 140 pounds. Anyone with information is urged to call the sheriff's office at 845-338-3640 or email mrel@co.ulster.ny.us. All information will be kept confidential, police said.

Total personal income in 2012 grew 2.95 percent in the Hudson Valley region, but less than that of the nation, a report issued today from Marist College says. Continued weakness in the employment component was noted, however, by the report's author, Christy Huebner Caridi, who heads the college's Bureau of Economic Research. The report compared 2012 with 2011. Total personal income is defined as earned income from work including benefits, but also covers income from real assets like rents as well as financial assets. It also includes "transfer payments" like Social Security, welfare, Medicare and unemployment compensation.

The cause of the fire that destroyed the Milan Market and Pizzeria Sunday is still under investigation today, Milan Fire Chief Al Sardaro said. Firefighters arrived at the business, located at 1615 Route 199, to find a "heavy smoke condition" and fire around 2:45 p.m. They found the business owner inside the building, but he escaped after some initial firefighting efforts, Sardaro said. One firefighter injured his shoulder racking a hose, but, otherwise, the fire was extinguished without anyone getting burned, he added. Firefighters cleared the scene sometime between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., Sardaro said. Sardaro said he is still waiting for the report that could show where and how the fire started.

New York remained the nation's third most populous state this year, narrowly staying ahead of Florida, U.S. Census data today showed. New York had 19.65 million people in July, about 98,000 more than Florida, which ranked fourth in the nation. Florida is closing quickly on New York: In 2010, New York had 552,000 more residents than the Sunshine State. Florida, according to economists and demographers, is expected to pass New York as soon as next year.

SPORTS: The Roy C. Ketcham High School boys basketball team lost, 56-48, to Mahopac in the first of four games today at the Dutchess County Coaches Association Holiday Tournament at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. Lourdes and Red Hook meet at 7:45 tonight in the championship game. Follow Phil Strum's liveupdates on Twitter @PJStrum.

COMING TUESDAY: The Marist College women's basketball team brings a six-game winning streak into Tuesday's 2 p.m. Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game against Canisius in Poughkeepsie. Read a game preview in Sports.

WEATHER: Cold tonight with a low of about 10 is what the National Weather Service is calling for. Tomorrow, a chance of snow showers from about noon until 5 p.m. with a high of about 31. Accumulations of less than a half-inch are possible.

To read the complete versions of these stories, click "Top News" in the navigation of your tablet site, iPhone or Android app or the Journal's mobile site, m.poughkeepsiejournal.com. You can also visit www.PoughkeepsieJournal.com.

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Today's news summary, Dec. 30, 2013

Ulster police are looking for a missing 16-year-old girl they believe ran away from her Town of Esopus home last week; personal income in the Hudson Valley showed growth from 2011 to 2012, a report